TIME FOR THE GOLD RUSH Mick’s mare the one to beat

SAYCE GOLD should be tough to beat on her chasing bow in the Clonmel Oil Chase Day November 11th Mares Chase today.

The Mick Winterstrained eight-year-old has already won a pointto-point in Boulta, a pointto-point bumper (subsequently disqualified) in Fairyhouse and two hurdles. But she looks every inch a staying chaser in the making and, despite reservations about today’s trip, an extended two and a quarter miles, she holds plenty of appeal.

Sayce Gold won her maiden hurdle in style in Thurles last November and followed-up when landing a three-mile, Grade 3 novice in Cork in early December, slamming Ragnar Lodbrok and Fairyhill Run.

Tried over two miles in a listed event at Thurles, she tried to force the pace but was ultimately outpaced behind Gauloise.

A better indication of her ability is a third behind

Darrens Hope and Ballyshannon Rose (impressive on her chase debut in Thurles last week) in the Grade 3 Shannon Spray at Limerick in March.

The selection boasts a hurdle rating of 133 and, on that basis, is well-suited by today’s race conditions.

She is facing some experienced rivals, including 129rated top-weight Sapphire Lady, but her point-topoint experience will stand to her.

Earlier, Guily Billy, winner of a point-to-point in Tinahely for Donnchadh Doyle before being bought for 310,000 Guineas, is set to make his racecourse debut for Cheveley Park Stud, Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore in the Cashel Maiden Hurdle.

He’s difficult to assess. But, in what appears a modest enough race, the French-bred five-year-old should land the odds.

Eoin Mccarthy’s 103rated Steak And Onions might prove the answer in the opener, if reproducing her most recent third behind San Salvador and Gaspard Du Seuil in Listowel – that winner was then in front when capsizing at the last in a Grade 3 at Tipperary.

The mount of 7lb claimer Gary Noonan (inset), Steak And Onions might have the edge over the Closutton runner Mary Meehan, runner-up to weekend Cheltenham scorer Top Bandit in a Downpatrick bumper last time.

In the handicap action, I like Philip Rothwell’s Ricky Langford, 8lb higher than when winning a similar handicap at Ballinrobe two runs back.

A smooth winner at the western venue, Ricky Langford reverted to hurdling at Punchestown last time, finishing runnerup to Romella.

But he’s probably more effective in today’s discipline and has solid each-way claims against Jim Dreaper’s course specialist Shopping Around and Killarney scorer Dontdooddson.